Decorative system

ABSTRACT

A decorative system comprising a charm mounting device wherein the charm may be removably mounted on an article, including but not limited to, a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, an earring, an eyeglass frame, a shoelace, a rubber band, a hair band, a wire, a chain, a rope, a cord or a string. The mounting device comprises a u-shaped or p-shaped mount, which are moveable between an original position and a pressured position. When pressure is applied to the mounts the article may be inserted into an inner cavity so as to be at least partially nested, and wherein the mounts may be released to return to the original position upon release of pressure.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/376,538, filed Aug. 24, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of jewelry, and more particularly to a means of attaching decorative items such as pendants, charms and the like to a desired article of jewelry.

Articles of jewelry may be continuous, such as continuous bands, or may include clasps that open to receive charms or other decorative items. To attach charms to continuous bands, these charms would have to include their own complex clasping mechanism, or the owner would have to take the article of jewelry to a jeweler to have it secured through soldering thereby rendering the attachment of charms thereto difficult and cumbersome. The prior art has failed to provide an inexpensive and simple means for attaching desired charms to any and all pieces of jewelry.

Accordingly there is a need in the art to provide a means of attaching charms to a desired piece of jewelry, wherein the charm is easily and securely attached without the need to take the bracelet to a jeweler and without providing cumbersome clasps. It is also desirable that these charms can be easily and quickly attached and detached while still maintaining their functionality of providing a strong and secure connection to the desired piece of jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a decorative system includes a u-shaped mount having a first arm, a second arm and a heel. The u-shaped mount comprises polyvinyl chloride having an elastic memory. The u-shaped mount is moveable between an original position and a pressured position. The first arm of the u-shaped mount terminates in a distal face. The system also includes a charm having a front side and a back side. The charm may comprise polyvinyl chloride, silicone or rubber. At least a portion of the back side may be substantially planar. The distal face of the first arm may be affixed to the back side of the charm. The system further includes an inner cavity defined by the first arm, the second arm, the heel, and the back side of the charm. The inner cavity has a cavity-effective diameter. The system further comprises an article to which the charm is removably attached. The article may be made of polyvinyl chloride, silicone or rubber. The article may comprise a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, an earring, an eyeglass frame, a shoelace, a rubber band, a hair band, a wire, a chain, a rope, a cord or a string. The article has an article-effective diameter, and the article-effective diameter is less than the cavity-effective diameter. The u-shaped mount opens to the pressured position when pressure is applied to the second arm of the u-shaped mount such that the article may be inserted into the inner cavity so as to be at least partially nested within the inner cavity. The u-shaped mount may be released to return to the original position upon release of pressure from the second arm. The u-shaped mount may have a mount width and a mount height, wherein the mount width comprises about 5 millimeters, and the mount height comprises about 9 millimeters.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a decorative system comprises a pshaped mount having a tail and a c-shaped portion. The p-shaped mount comprises polyvinyl chloride having an elastic memory. The p-shaped mount is moveable between an original position and a pressured position. The c-shaped portion terminates in a distal hook, and the tail terminates in a distal face. The distal hook is not affixed to the tail. The system also includes a charm having a front side and a back side, wherein at least a portion of the back side may be substantially planar. The distal face may be affixed to the back side of the charm. They system further includes an inner cavity defined by the tail and the c-shaped portion. The inner cavity has a cavity-effective diameter. The system also includes an article to which the charm is removably attached. The article has an article-effective diameter. The article-effective diameter is less than the cavity-effective diameter. The p-shaped mount opens to the pressured position when pressure is applied to the c-shaped portion of the p-shaped mount such that the article may be inserted into the inner cavity so as to be at least partially nested within the inner cavity. The p-shaped mount may be released to return to the original position upon release of pressure from the second arm.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a front elevation view of a prior art charm;

FIG. 1 b is a front elevation view of a prior art charm;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the present invention showing an article and a charm attached to the article through a mount of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a is a side elevation of a charm showing the u-shaped mount of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b is a rear quarter elevation of a charm showing the u-shaped mount of the present invention;

FIG. 3 c is a side elevation of a charm showing the u-shaped mount of the present invention in an unpressured and pressured position;

FIG. 4 a is a side elevation of a charm showing the p-shaped mount of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a rear quarter elevation of a charm showing the p-shaped mount of the present invention;

FIG. 4 c is a side and front quarter elevation of a charm showing the p-shaped mount of the present invention in an unpressured and pressured position; and

FIG. 4 d is a front and front quarter elevation of a charm showing the p-shaped mount of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b, there is shown charm and clasp combinations known in the art. As seen in FIG. 1 a, this type of clasp mechanism requires two components that are spring loaded and pivotally connected permitting the clasp to be attached to or removed from a chain link or ring or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,804 to Gatof et al. describes clasps similar to the clasp design in FIG. 1 a. These clasp designs however have proved to be bulky, cumbersome, and due to their complex nature are not cost effective. Furthermore, attaching these clasps to preexisting charms would involve soldering, or another complex clasp design, which would only further burden the user.

FIG. 1 b shows a charm of the prior art that contains a continuous clasp. These type of clasp mechanisms are only attached to jewelry through soldering, or through a clasp incorporated in the article of jewelry, which would open and close to receive the charm. These clasps are unable to connect to claspless charms, such as continuous bands without the use of soldering, or a separate complex linking mechanism.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means for attaching charms to a desired article that overcomes these burdens of the prior art and provides a clasping mechanism that is a simple design, cost effective, and permits the user to securely attach and detach desired charms to desired articles.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a decorative system for removably affixing a charm 1 on an article 3 through the use of a mounting device 2 affixed on a desired surface of the charm 1. The article 3 may include, but is not limited to, a necklace, earphones, a bracelet, an anklet, an earring, an eyeglass frame, a shoelace, a rubber band, a hair band, a wire, a cord, a chain, a rope or a string.

One of the benefits of the present invention is to have charms with mounts that are removably mountable on various articles, to make charm bracelets or necklaces, or create decorative systems in a variety of environments. This invention also provides the benefit of hanging or clasping charms on various articles for articles that do not contain a clasp, or are claspless, whereas prior charms were not attachable to an article without unclasping the article.

The system includes charms 1 having a front side and a back side. The charms 1 can comprise a wide variety of shapes, designs, colors, indicia, including letters, numbers, graphics drawings, or shapes of any suitable nature. The size of these charms may vary and include any width, height, and depth. At least a portion of the back side of the charm may be substantially planar to which such mounting devices 2 may be easily affixed. In another embodiment, the back side of the charm 1 may be completely planar, and in a further embodiment the back side of the charm 1 may be non planar.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a-c, the mounting device 2 may comprise a u-shaped mount 20. The u-shaped mount 20 comprises a first arm 21, a second arm 23 and a heel 22. The first arm 21 terminates in a distal face 24 which may be affixed to a surface of the charm 1 with any methods of fixation known in the art, including but not limited to, glue, double-sided adhesive, material fusion, etc. The u-shaped mount 20 includes an inner cavity 25, which is defined by the first arm 21, the second arm 23, the heel 22 of the u-shaped mount 20 and a surface of the charm 1. The inner cavity has a cavity-effective diameter, which refers to the shortest length between the first arm 21 and the second arm 23, and the heel 22 and a surface of the charm 1.

The u-shaped mount 20 is configured such that the second arm 23 terminates at a distal face which may abut or substantially abut a surface of the charm 1, but not be affixed to the surface of the charm, so that a space between the second arm 23 and the surface of the charm 1 may widen to allow for an article 3 to be inserted into the inner cavity.

Referring to FIG. 3 c, the u-shaped mount 20 is moveable between an original position and a pressured position such that an article 3 (not pictured) may be inserted and secured into the inner cavity 25 of the mount. The second arm 23 is not affixed to the surface of the charm 1 so that it allows access to the inner cavity by placing pressure on the second arm 23 to move it away from the surface of the charm 1. The pressured position occurs when pressure is applied, which can be done manually, to the second arm 23 such that the inner cavity 25 is partially opened and accessible so that the article 3 may be at least partially inserted into the inner cavity 25. When the pressure is released from the second arm 23, the second arm 23 of the u-shaped mount returns to the original position because of the elastic memory of the mount and affixes the charm 1 to the article 3.

In one embodiment the second arm, the first arm and the heel of the u-shaped mount may be one monolithic piece, or in another embodiment the second arm, the first arm and the heel of the u-shaped mount may be separate pieces that are affixed to each other in any known manner including fusion bonding, adhesive, glue etc.

Referring to FIGS. 4 a-d, the mounting device 2 may comprise a p-shaped mount 30 which comprises a tail 31 and a c-shaped portion 32. The p-shaped mount 30 may also include an inner cavity 33, which may be defined by the c-shaped portion 32 and the tail 31. The inner cavity 33 has an effective diameter, which refers to the shortest diameter length between the tail 31 and the c-shaped portion 32 within the cavity. The c-shaped portion 32 may extend down the length of the tail 31 at various lengths. In one embodiment, the c-shaped portion 32 extends about halfway down the length of the tail 31. In other embodiments, the c-shaped portion 32 may extend 20-40%, or 60-80% down the length of the tail 31. The tail 31 may terminate in a distal face 34, which may be affixed to a surface of the charm 1 with any method of fixation known in the art, including but not limited to, glue, double-sided adhesive, material fusion, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the c-shaped portion 32 of the mount may terminate in a distal hook 35. The distal hook 35 may provide additional security to nest the article within the inner cavity.

The p-shaped mount 30 is configured such that a terminal end of the c-shaped portion 32 and/or distal hook 35 may abut or substantially abut the tail 31, but not be affixed to the tail 31, so that the space between the tail 31 and c-shaped portion 32 and/or distal hook may widen to allow an article 3 to be inserted into the inner cavity.

Referring to FIG. 4 c, the p-shaped mount 30 is moveable between an original position and a pressured position such that the article 3 may be inserted and secured into the inner cavity 33. Referring to FIG. 4 c, the p-shaped mount 30 is shown in an unpressured resting position similar to that of FIG. 4 a. A pressure is then applied to the mount, as indicated by the arrow, and the c-shaped portion 32 and/or the distal hook 35 are lifted into a pressured position such that the inner cavity is partially opened and accessible. Pressure can be applied manually to move the c-shaped portion 32 and/or distal hook 35 away from the tail 31 of the p-shaped mount 30 so the article 3 (not pictured) may be inserted into the inner cavity 33. When the pressure is released from the c-shaped portion 32 and/or distal hook 35, the c-shaped portion 32 and/or distal hook 35 of the p-shaped mount 30 returns to the original position because of the elastic memory of the mount and affixes the charm 1 to the article 3.

In one embodiment the c-shaped portion and the tail of the p-shaped mount may be one monolithic piece, or in another embodiment the c-shaped portion and the tail of the p-shaped mount may be separate pieces that are affixed to each other in any known manner including fusion bonding, adhesive, glue etc.

FIGS. 4 a-d show an inside surface of the tail portion 31 of the p-shaped mount 30 attached to the charm 1, however in an alternative embodiment, a backside surface of the tail portion 31 of the p-shaped mount 30 may be attached to the charm 1.

The u-shaped and p-shaped mounts may comprise any polymer or plastic as is known to those skilled in the art so long as the material is sufficient to enable the mount to move between the original and pressured positions, and to have an elastic memory to enable the mount to “remember” the location of the original position. These polymer or plastic materials include but are not limited to polyvinyl chloride, silicone, nylon, latex, or synthetic rubber. Additives, such as antimicrobial agents and coloring agents may be included as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the mount comprises polyvinyl chloride. In another embodiment the mount comprises silicone.

The article 3 to which the charm 1 is removably attached comprises an article-effective diameter, which refers to that diameter that the respective longitudinal cross-section would transcribe if the article were rotated about its axis. For example, a cylindrical article would have an effective diameter defined by its own diameter. The article-effective diameter may be less than the cavity-effective diameter such that the article could be at least partially nested within the respective inner cavity of each mount. In another embodiment, the article is completely nested within the cavity. For example, in an embodiment with a charm 3 being removably mounted on a bracelet, the diameter of the bracelet must be smaller than the diameter of the inner cavity of the mount such that the bracelet would nest and remain secured within the inner cavity.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless the claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative system comprising: a u-shaped mount comprising a first arm, a second arm and a heel, the u-shaped mount comprising a polymeric material, the u-shaped mount moveable between an original position and a pressured position, wherein an inner cavity, comprising a cavity effective diameter, is defined by the first arm, the second arm, and the heel; and a charm having a front side and a back side, wherein said first arm is affixed to a surface of the charm.
 2. The decorative system of claim 1, wherein the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride, silicone, rubber, nylon or latex.
 3. The decorative system of claim 1, wherein the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride.
 4. The decorative system of claim 1, wherein the charm comprises polyvinyl chloride, silicone or rubber.
 5. The decorative system of claim 1, further comprising an article to which the charm is removably attached; the article having an article-effective diameter, wherein the article-effective diameter is less than the cavity-effective diameter.
 6. The decorative system of claim 5, wherein the u-shaped mount opens to the pressured position when pressure is applied to the second arm of the u-shaped mount such that the article may be inserted into the inner cavity so as to be at least partially nested within the inner cavity, and wherein the u-shaped mount may be released to return to the original position upon release of pressure from the second arm.
 7. The decorative system of claim 5, wherein the article is a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, an earring, an eyeglass frame, a shoelace, a rubber band, a hair band, a wire, a chain, a rope, a cord or a string.
 8. The decorative system of claim 5, wherein the article is claspless.
 9. A decorative system comprising: a p-shaped mount having a tail and a c-shaped portion; the p-shaped mount comprising an inner cavity defined by the tail and the c-shaped portion, the inner cavity having a cavity effective diameter; the p-shaped mount comprises a polymeric material; the p-shaped mount moveable between an original position and a pressured position; and a charm having a front side and a back side, wherein a distal face of the tail of the p-shaped mount is affixed to a surface of the charm.
 10. The decorative system of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride, silicone, rubber, nylon or latex.
 11. The decorative system of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride.
 12. The decorative system of claim 9, wherein the charm comprises polyvinyl chloride, silicone or rubber.
 13. The decorative system of claim 9, wherein a terminal end of the c-shaped portion terminates in a distal hook, wherein the terminal end is not affixed to the tail.
 14. The decorative system of claim 9, further comprising an article to which the charm is removably attached; the article having an article-effective diameter, wherein the article-effective diameter is less than the cavity-effective diameter.
 15. The decorative system of claim 14, wherein the p-shaped mount opens to the pressured position when pressure is applied to the c-shaped portion such that the article may be inserted into the inner cavity so as to be at least partially nested within the inner cavity, and wherein the p-shaped mount may be released to return to the original position upon release of pressure from the c-shaped portion.
 16. The decorative system of claim 14, wherein the article is a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, an earring, an eyeglass frame, a shoelace, a rubber band, a hair band, a wire, a chain, a rope, a cord or a string.
 17. The decorative system of claim 14, wherein the article is claspless. 